Cave Creek council adopts 2026 legislative policy agenda, directs staff to seek outside representation

Town Manager Grady Miller presented a draft 2026 legislative policy agenda and recommended that the council adopt it and authorize staff to seek an outside government-relations firm to represent Cave Creek’s interests at the state capital.

The policy agenda, as discussed and modified by members, emphasizes protecting local control on land use, defending town shared revenues such as transportation-related sales taxes, and strengthening language on "water security." Miller told council the agenda is intended to give any outside firm and staff consistent guidance on bills to support or oppose and to avoid piecemeal direction from individual councilmembers.

Councilmembers debated whether the firm would operate only at the state level or also be available to address county initiatives; staff responded the scope can include county matters when they affect town interests. Several members urged budgeting the expense so the effort survives changes in future councils.

A councilmember raised the statutory concern SB 1487, which the agenda references; colleagues described that legislation as allowing a single state legislator to challenge local ordinances and warned that similar bills could threaten municipal authority. Council instructed staff to broaden the language where appropriate to catch bills with similar effects.

Members also asked for wording improvements. Council directed staff to change references from 'water situation' to 'water security' and to explicitly call out open-space protections in the agenda. After those edits, the council voted to adopt the 2026 legislative policy agenda and to direct staff to pursue an outside firm to represent Cave Creek’s legislative interests. The meeting record states, “Motion carries. 6.”

The action gives town staff authority to proceed with procurement or contract discussions; council asked that staff report back with scope, cost estimates and a proposed budget line so the expense is transparent to future councils.